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Apr 18
Hi, I'm having a problem with my shutter binding when I open of close. Everything is aligned, does anyone have a fix for this issue?
Hi, I'm having a problem with my shutter binding when I open of close. Everything is aligned, does anyone have a fix for this issue?
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Roy, when you say binding are you referring to the motor turning but not advancing along the track, skipping in place, or stopping?
There is a tension plate directly behind the motor gear that can be moved via a hex set screw.
Unfortunately to access the set screw the motor assembly has to be removed from the shutter.
I had countless issue with the shutters.
First, as Steve says, try to get the tension plate to keep the track in contact... but not too much or it'll bind.
I also remove the shutter retention kit, it was pushing to hard on the shutters panel creating additional friction .. and binding.
I also replace the back wheel with smaller one and put a skateboard ball bearing spacer between the dome and the wheel so that when both panel are on top of each other they don't bind.
I also added a fair amount of "teflon" tape along he seams of the dome and between the 2 shutter panels.
It is now a lot better.
But I would say the whole shutter assembly is not very satisfying when that's the only thing protecting the equipment if it starts to rain and has to close.. if binding happens at that moment ... it could be catastrophic.
Rodolphe
Rodolphe, I’ve also had problems with my shutter kit too. I’ve used candle wax which seems to work pretty well.
I would appreciate any information about the changes you made to improve the shutter movement.
Tim was helping me with patched firmware yet it just stops in both directions at different location. It started when it was connected to the ASCOM hub and then while manually operating it. Now I can’t even connect to the dome. Waiting on Tim with next firmware version he’s working on.
I'll take some picture tomorrow.
I really appreciate your help and look forward to photos.
With the bad air outside due to the large fire in California, I haven't had a change to take close up picture of the smaller wheel and other things.
Hopefully I can get some for you soon.
I completely understand about bad air quality from the fires. Pictures are very helpful and if you can provide a source; that's even better. Since you seem to be suffering from bad air quality from fires can I conclude you are in California? Generally where are you located? I'm in Morgan Hill, CA
I just re-read your comment about replacing the wheels for the shutter. Are these wheels outside and on top of the dome that the shutter panels are supposed to slide under? In my case the wheels don't touch the shutter panels when stacked. When I first assembled the dome the wheels were so tight against the shutter panels I could barely slide them manually. I ended up adding a couple extra washers.
Also, the shutter retention kit rails don't touch the shutter panels during operation, but they are close. I can't remove them since my dome as nearly blown off the walls a couple of times and the interior retention straps keep breaking, so I don't trust them.
Stay safe,
Steven
Hi Steven, as said in the other post, I'm in the Bay Area, north of Berkeley.
The wheel are indeed the one outisde on the top of the dome.
I changed the back one for these : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072LXGJ2B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and added a spacer so it goes : dome + washer + spacer + washer + wheel+washer+screw.
These are the spacers I used : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PV15PMQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So I only used 2, with the new wheel , on the back.
On the front wheel I thin I have 4 washers or the wheel press too hard on the shutter and cause more binding.
For me the shutter retention kit was pressing to hard on the shutter in some places when closing (and sometimes when opening).
I plan on putting a tarp on top with these strap to retain the dome when there is a storm in the forecast : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YQ58Q9D/?coliid=I18SK3SYPOKG6C&colid=H2JUHQKQJ7I8&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
As I have a square structure I can have these hooks in the bottom corner to attache the strap to : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0785Z66ZC/?coliid=I1C1340H9UBM37&colid=H2JUHQKQJ7I8&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Rodolphe
Thanks for the links. So I don't make assumptions I have questions:
1. Since the link opened to the black wheel I'm guessing it's the 80 mm one, please confirm.
2. I must also conclude you needed longer bolts to fit the extra washers and spacers, again if I'm wrong please let me know.
Since the dome retention kit seems to work for me, but I'm going to check once I can get the shutter to open automatically, and I can watch from the outside I can be sure. I'm using the dome walls so if I remove the retention kit I need to add D-rings on the inside posts, add J hooks to the dome itself and either use high tension stretch cords or rope. Still looking for the D-rings but I haven't checked Home Depot.
Steven
1 : yes I got the black 80mm ones. I wanted some smaller one to make sure they were not going to be pressing hard like the original ones (100mm I thing).
2 : no the original bold were long enough.
Thanks, just put the order in.
Hi Rodolphe and thank you for the update. I like the idea of the 80mm wheels, I ordered these and the spacers from Amazon (thanks for the URLs). I will put them on this weekend, hopefully the smoke will ave cleared by than to make working outside at little nicer (I leave on Clear Lake).
@Roy Osterberg I got my wheels yesterday (Friday) but the washers and spacers won't be here until September 15th. Guess these are coming from China. I'll look for another set that can get here sooner.
Steven
I finally got time to take some pictures.
Also, here is the "slidy" take I used to smooth the panel sliding :
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00823JDIW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Shutter closed, the smaller wheel still block the shutter as expected :
Shutter open :
Front wheel with extra washers shutter closed
Close up of the washer stack using one of the small washer from the Spacers kit :
Slidy tape (I added some in other places but this made the most significant improvement) :
Those are great pictures. Based on the photos the tape you installed is 3/4”. I just purchased the 1” tape. Thanks for the pictures. Now I’ll have to clean the wax off but the tape will be a uniform slippery layer.
Steven